U.S. patent application number 10/797674 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for sealing ring.
Invention is credited to Guillerme, Celine, Kammerer, Eric.
Application Number | 20040188950 10/797674 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32798137 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040188950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guillerme, Celine ; et
al. |
September 30, 2004 |
Sealing ring
Abstract
A sealing ring comprising a bearing ring with a radial flange
and a sealing sleeve, which at its free end is connected to a
thickened, surrounding bulge.
Inventors: |
Guillerme, Celine; (Neuilly
L'eveque, FR) ; Kammerer, Eric; (Langres,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
32798137 |
Appl. No.: |
10/797674 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
277/549 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16J 15/3268 20130101;
F16J 15/3228 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
277/549 |
International
Class: |
F16J 015/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 27, 2003 |
DE |
103 13 958.3 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sealing ring comprising: a bearing ring with a radial flange
and sealing sleeve, characterized in that at a free end of the
sealing sleeve, the sealing sleeve is connected with a thickened,
surrounding bulge.
2. The sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the
bulge comprises a polymeric material.
3. The sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the
sealing sleeve is fastened to a radial flange of the bearing ring
with an intermediate layer.
4. The sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that on
a side radially facing away from a shaft to be sealed, the sealing
sleeve has a peripherally surrounding flat covering.
5. The sealing ring according to claim 4, characterized in that the
intermediate layer and the covering are a single unit comprised of
the same material.
6. The sealing ring according to claim 4, characterized in that the
covering is provided with ribs distributed over periphery of the
covering.
7. The sealing ring according to claim 4, characterized in that the
covering is diffusion-resistant.
8. The sealing ring according to claim 4, characterized in that the
covering and the bulge are a single unit and comprised of the same
material.
9. The sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the
bulge is adhesively attached to the free end of the sealing
sleeve.
10. The sealing ring according to claim 4, characterized in that a
ratio of the height (H) of the bulge to a thickness (D) of the
covering is at least 4 and/or that a ratio of the height (H) to a
width (B) of the bulge (6) is in the range of 0.5 to 5.
11. The sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that
the bulge has at least one lip-shaped projection extending radially
inward, said projection being closed and surrounding a shaft in a
sealing manner.
12. The sealing ring according to claim 11, characterized in that
on a side radially facing the shaft, the sealing sleeve is provided
with at least one back-feeding groove for back-feeding a medium to
be sealed in a direction of a space to be sealed off.
13. The sealing ring according to claim 12, characterized in that a
depth and/or a width and/or a slope of the back-feeding groove is
variable along the sealing sleeve.
14. The sealing ring according to claim 11, characterized in that
at the free end of the sealing sleeve, the projection closes the
back-feeding groove in a sealing manner.
15. The sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that
the bearing ring is provided with an axial flange which on a side
radially facing away from a shaft is connected with a radial
flange; and that a periphery of the axial flange is surrounded by a
static sealing region.
16. The sealing ring according to claim 15, characterized in that
the covering and the static sealing region comprise a polymeric
material.
17. The sealing ring according to claim 15, characterized in that
the covering and the static sealing region are made as a unit and
comprise the same material.
18. The sealing ring according to claim 15, characterized in that
the covering and the static sealing regioncomprise different
materials.
19. The sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that
the sealing sleeve comprises a PTFE compound.
20. The sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that
the free end of the sealing sleeve is curved axially in the
direction of a space to be sealed off.
21. The sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that
the free end of the sealing sleeve is curved axially in the
direction of its surroundings.
22. A housing lid comprising: a sealing ring according to claim 1,
the sealing ring being integrated into the housing lid.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of German Patent
Application 10313958.3, filed Mar. 27, 2003. The disclosure of the
above application is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sealing ring.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Sealing rings are known, for example, from DE 100 33 446 A1.
In DE 100 33 446 A1, the sealing ring comprises a bearing ring
consisting of an axial flange and a radial flange, as well as a
sealing sleeve that is fastened to the bearing ring. To seal off
the housing, a sealing region consisting of an elastomeric material
is vulcanized onto the axial flange of the bearing ring. In the
sealing sleeve is provided, on the side facing the shaft, at least
one back-feeding groove for feeding back the medium to be sealed in
the direction of the space to be sealed off. The sealing sleeve
consists of an elastomeric material and has essentially the same
structure from the region in which it is connected to the bearing
ring to its free end. The free end presses against the surface to
be sealed of the machine element to be sealed exclusively by the
elastic pressing force of the elastomeric material. The service
life of the sealing sleeve is prolonged by providing such a small
pressing force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The object of the invention is to further develop a sealing
ring with a sealing sleeve of the above-described kind in a manner
such that the sealing sleeve, regardless of the direction in which
its free end is curved, contacts, with an increased pressing force,
the surface of the machine element to be sealed. Another object is
that the sealing ring be produced in a simple and economic manner.
The risk of faulty installation is thereby minimized.
[0005] To reach the above objective, the sealing sleeve is
connected at its free end with a thickened bulge surrounding it.
The bulge of the invention increases, at the free end of the
sealing sleeve, the radial pressure against the shaft to be sealed,
and prevents the medium to be sealed from leaking, particularly
when the free end of the sealing sleeve is curved in the direction
of the surroundings and pressure is applied to the space to be
sealed off. Even then, the bulge prevents the sealing sleeve from
lifting off the surface to be sealed. The bulge is designed so that
the constructively provided sealing region of the sealing sleeve
adheres to the shaft under all permissible operating conditions.
Because of its simple design, the sealing ring is readily installed
and a coiled spring for the ring is not needed.
[0006] The bulge preferably consists of an elastomeric material.
These materials, because of their rubber elasticity, exert a radial
pressing force on the shaft to be sealed.
[0007] It is advantageous to fasten the sealing sleeve to the
radial flange of the bearing ring by means of an intermediate
elastomeric layer. The intermediate elastomeric layer also allows
sealing sleeves made of a porous material to be readily attached to
the bearing ring.
[0008] In an advantageous embodiment, the sealing sleeve is
provided with a flat covering on its side facing away from the
shaft to be sealed. The sealing sleeve can be fastened to the
intermediate layer and the covering. Such a design is advantageous
when, in particular, the sealing sleeve is made of a
self-lubricating material such as polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE]
which does not adhere well. The covering is so thin that its effect
on the radial pressure of the sealing ring is negligible, because
in order to ensure optimal pressure by the sealing region, the
radial pressure should be exerted primarily by the bulge.
[0009] In another embodiment, the covering can be provided with
ribs distributed over the periphery. The ribs increase the surface
of the covering on the side of the sealing sleeve facing away from
the shaft thus improving the removal of the heat of friction.
[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment, the covering can be
impervious to diffusion. This is particularly advantageous when the
sealing sleeve consists of a porous material and is very thin. In
this case, the sealing sleeve can, on the side facing away from the
shaft, be provided with a diffusion-resistant covering thus
preventing diffusion through the sealing sleeve.
[0011] Advantageously, the bulge and the covering consist of a
single unit, and are made of the same material. When the bulge and
the covering are made as a single unit, the ribs of the covering
facilitate the fabrication of the bulge because the ribs increase
the cross-section which is used as flow cross-section in making the
bulge. Constructing the bulge and the covering as a single unit
allows the bulge to be secured on the bearing ring.
[0012] Preferably, the bulge is connected with the sealing sleeve
by adhesion. By the adhesive connection, the radial pressing force
exerted by the bulge is transferred to the free end of the sealing
sleeve. In this manner, the sealing region of the sealing sleeve
presses against the shaft to be sealed with a pressing force
defined by the bulge.
[0013] The preferred dimensional ratios of the bulge are a ratio of
bulge height to covering thickness of at least 4 and/or a ratio of
bulge height to bulge width from 0.5 to 5. With such dimensional
ratios, it is possible to achieve the pressing force required for
all applications, while at the same time keeping material
requirements low.
[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the bulge is provided, at its
side facing the shaft, with at least one lip-shaped projection
extending radially inward. The lip is closed in itself and
surrounds the shaft in a sealing manner. Such a projection, unlike
a flat one, reduces the friction of the bulge by line pressure.
[0015] Preferably, the sealing sleeve is provided, on its side
facing the shaft, with at least one back-feeding groove to convey
the medium to be sealed in the direction of the of the space to
sealed off. The back-feeding groove improves the dynamic tightness
of the sealing ring, and the sealing sleeve is always adequately
lubricated. The lubricant consists of the medium to be sealed and
is constantly renewed by the back-feeding effect.
[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the back-feeding groove can
be closed off at the free end of the sealing sleeve by a closed
circular design of the bulge projection. When the shaft to be
sealed is at a standstill, the closed design of the projection
prevents leaking of the medium to be sealed. As a rule, the depth,
cross-section, and slope of the back-feeding groove along the
sealing sleeve are constant. It is also possible, however, for the
depth, slope and/or width of the back-feeding groove to be variable
over the course of the sealing sleeve.
[0017] The bearing ring is preferably provided with an axial flange
which. on the side radially facing away from the shaft, is
connected with the radial flange. The axial flange is surrounded on
the peripheral side by a static sealing region. The static sealing
region secures the sealing of the sealing ring toward the
housing.
[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the covering and the static
sealing region are made of an elastomeric material. By their
rubber-elastic behavior, elastomeric materials allow the
equalization of manufacturing tolerances so that, for example, the
housing and/or the bearing ring of the sealing ring can be made
more economically.
[0019] The covering, the static sealing region, and the bulge are
preferably made as a single unit and of the same material. In this
manner, these parts can be fabricated in a single step thus
eliminating the possibility of faulty assembly.
[0020] In another embodiment, the covering and the bulge are made
of a material different from that constituting the static sealing
region. In this manner, it is possible to choose materials that are
optimized for special operating requirements. The covering is
preferably flat, but it can also be corrugated.
[0021] The sealing sleeve preferably consists of a PTFE compound.
The sealing sleeve is thus resistant to most media that have to be
sealed. Moreover, PTFE materials have good heat stability, good
sliding properties, and excellent resistance to seizing. A sealing
sleeve made of PTFE is nearly wear-free.
[0022] In a further embodiment, the sealing sleeve can be curved in
the direction of the surroundings. Such a design permits simple
installation of the sealing ring without the use of an installation
device. The bulge allows this type of installation also at higher
media pressures.
[0023] In another embodiment, the sealing sleeve can be curved in
the direction of the space to be sealed off. This type of
installation permits higher pressures from the side of the medium
than when the sealing sleeve is oriented in the direction of the
surroundings.
[0024] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the sealing ring according to
principles of the invention in a longitudinal cross-sectional
view;
[0027] FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the sealing ring according to the
principles of the invention wherein the covering and the bulge are
made of a material different from that constituting the static
sealing region;
[0028] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the sealing ring according to
the principles of the invention with no ribs distributed over the
periphery; and
[0029] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the sealing ring according to
the principles of the invention designed without an axial flange
and with a housing lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a sealing ring comprising a metallic bearing
ring 1, with an axial flange 13 and a radial flange 2. A sealing
sleeve 3, on the free end of which is adhesively fastened a bulge
6, extends along the periphery of the bearing ring 1. The sealing
sleeve 3, which in this embodiment consists of PTFE, is fastened to
the bearing ring 1 with the aid of an intermediate layer 4. Sealing
sleeve 3 is curved in the direction of the surroundings 15. On the
side of sealing sleeve 3 that faces a shaft 7 to be sealed, is
located a back-feeding groove 11. The back-feeding groove 11 is of
a known design in regards to its slope, cross-section and ratio
numbers. On the side of sealing sleeve 3 facing away from shaft 7
is connected, with the sleeve, a flat, peripherally extending
covering 8 made of an elastomeric material with ribs 9 uniformly
distributed over its periphery. At the free end of sealing sleeve
3, the covering 8 merges with a thickened bulge 6 extending over
the periphery. Bulge 6 and covering 8 are made of the same material
and as a unit. The ratio of height H of bulge 6 to the thickness D
of covering 8 amounts to 10, and the ratio of height H to the width
B of bulge 6 amounts to 2.5. The side of bulge 6 facing shaft 7 is
provided with at least one concentrically surrounding projection 10
which by a peripherally circular, closed design closes off
back-feeding groove 11 of sealing sleeve 3.
[0032] To seal the sealing ring in housing 16, a static sealing
region 14 consisting of a layer of elastomeric material is
vulcanized onto axial flange 13 of bearing ring 1. Static sealing
region 14, covering 8 and bulge 6 preferably constitute a single
unit made of the same material.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the sealing ring. In
this embodiment, the elastomeric material for bulge 6 and covering
8 is different from the elastomeric material for static sealing
region 14.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the sealing ring wherein
covering 8 has no ribs.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows schematically an embodiment of the sealing ring
of FIG. 1 with a modified bearing ring 1, devoid of an axial
flange, is mounted in a housing lid 16.
[0036] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *